How much does a 2008 MERCEDES SLK cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 MERCEDES SLK?

The 2008 MERCEDES SLK has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 6,876 tests in 2026. This ranks 211 out of 589 cars from 2008.

Which year MERCEDES SLK is most reliable?

The 2016 MERCEDES SLK has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1996 at 76%.

MERCEDES SLK (2008)

Q: Is the 2008 MERCEDES SLK reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 6,876 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2008 MERCEDES SLK?

The average mileage for a 2008 MERCEDES SLK is 75,187 miles, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 6,876 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1798cc18 years old6,876 tests75k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1798cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1798cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the MERCEDES brand average of 87%.

At 18 years old, 80% of MERCEDES SLKs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,876 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 75,187 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars211th of 589(top 36%)

Rank among MERCEDES models1077th of 1,408(top 76%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average+7%(73% avg)

vs MERCEDES average-7%(87% avg)

Mileage Analysis

75,187

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 MERCEDES SLK has 75,187 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2016 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 76%. The 2008 sits between the two at 80%.

MERCEDES SLK by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	89%	2,572	42,977 mi
2015	87%	11,055	48,710 mi
2014	87%	11,284	55,581 mi
2013	85%	11,106	62,322 mi
2012	84%	13,361	64,940 mi
2011	85%	5,660	61,469 mi
2010	80%	4,472	66,541 mi
2009	81%	5,347	71,532 mi
2008	80%	6,876	75,187 mi
2007	79%	7,700	77,695 mi
2006	79%	7,884	80,213 mi
2005	78%	10,305	82,791 mi
2004	78%	6,598	84,132 mi
2003	78%	3,327	85,438 mi
2002	81%	3,692	87,295 mi
2001	82%	4,005	90,848 mi
2000	79%	3,545	90,918 mi
1999	79%	4,295	87,626 mi
1998	79%	3,523	89,671 mi
1997	81%	2,190	90,802 mi
1996	76%	126	98,709 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

72%

-8%

FORD FOCUS

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

74%

-6%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

74%

-6%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,027/year

67%

-13%

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About the 2008 MERCEDES SLK

The 2008 MERCEDES SLK is a family car with a 1798cc petrol engine. 6,876 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2008, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 75,187 miles at 18 years old, MERCEDES SLK owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 MERCEDES SLK Fuel Costs

The 1798cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2008 MERCEDES SLK?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MERCEDES SLK Reliability Trend

Newer MERCEDES SLKs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 MERCEDES SLK

At 18 years old, the MERCEDES SLK is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2016 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. With 6,876 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 MERCEDES SLK's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2008 MERCEDES SLK stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MERCEDES SLK(2008)	80%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
FORD FIESTA(2008)	72%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£325
FORD FOCUS(2009)	74%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
VAUXHALL CORSA(2010)	74%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£325
NISSAN QASHQAI(2010)	67%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£2027-£20

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.